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Philanthropists bet big on Auburn theater fest

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Published: Sunday, February 12, 2012, 2:00 AM

James T. Mulder / The Post-Standard

By James T. Mulder / The Post-Standard

Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival

Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival Ed Sayles is the Producing Artistic Director for Merry Go Round Playhouse and the upcoming Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival. Sayles talks about the festival and its impact on CNY. Video by Stephen D. Cannerelli (2:24) Watch video

Auburn, N.Y. — Jerry Bisgrove could have set up a charitable fund to feed the poor when he decided to share some of his financial fortune in 2007 with his hometown of Auburn.

But he wanted a bigger bang for his buck.

So the Arizona philanthropist’s charitable foundation plowed more than $4 million into the fledgling Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival. Organizers of the multivenue summer festival, which debuts this year, hope to turn Auburn into a musical theater mecca that draws more than 150,000 visitors annually, creates jobs and revives the city’s economy.

The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse’s Youth Theatre

Stephen D. Cannerelli / The Post-Standard The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse’s Youth Theatre presented The Bingley Brothers Circus for kindergarteners at Millard Fillmore Elementary School in Moravia on Wednesday January 18, 2012. Scott Gibbs as Happy the Clown imitates a circus animal. Stephen D. Cannerelli / The Post-Standard

Bisgrove said the potential economic payoff to the community from backing the festival is much greater than it would be with a traditional charitable cause, such as feeding the poor.

“This can generate jobs and millions of dollars,” Bisgrove said. “I like my upside better.”

Bisgrove, 66, has helped spark a wave of entrepreneurial philanthropy that’s having a big impact on Auburn. HisStardust Foundation and two other private foundations with Auburn roots — the Fred L. Emerson Foundationand the Schwartz Family Foundation —have put up more than half of the $10 million raised so far in startup funding for the festival.

The philanthropic activity surrounding the festival bears little resemblance to traditional charitable giving.

For one thing the festival is a riskier-than-usual investment for foundations.

Dan Fessenden, executive director of the Emerson Foundation, which has put nearly $1.5 million into the festival, said foundations are taking that risk because of the project’s potential economic impact.

“In a community like Auburn we need some double-digit returns,” he said.

The wave of philanthropy also is different because the foundations are doing much more than writing checks. They are active participants in the project, not passive spectators.

Please follow the rest of the article on The Post Standard

Philanthropists bet big on Auburn theater fest

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Published: Sunday, February 12, 2012, 2:00 AM

James T. Mulder / The Post-Standard

By James T. Mulder / The Post-Standard

Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival

Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival Ed Sayles is the Producing Artistic Director for Merry Go Round Playhouse and the upcoming Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival. Sayles talks about the festival and its impact on CNY. Video by Stephen D. Cannerelli (2:24) Watch video

Auburn, N.Y. — Jerry Bisgrove could have set up a charitable fund to feed the poor when he decided to share some of his financial fortune in 2007 with his hometown of Auburn.

But he wanted a bigger bang for his buck.

So the Arizona philanthropist’s charitable foundation plowed more than $4 million into the fledgling Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival. Organizers of the multivenue summer festival, which debuts this year, hope to turn Auburn into a musical theater mecca that draws more than 150,000 visitors annually, creates jobs and revives the city’s economy.

The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse’s Youth Theatre

Stephen D. Cannerelli / The Post-Standard The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse’s Youth Theatre presented The Bingley Brothers Circus for kindergarteners at Millard Fillmore Elementary School in Moravia on Wednesday January 18, 2012. Scott Gibbs as Happy the Clown imitates a circus animal. Stephen D. Cannerelli / The Post-Standard

Bisgrove said the potential economic payoff to the community from backing the festival is much greater than it would be with a traditional charitable cause, such as feeding the poor.

“This can generate jobs and millions of dollars,” Bisgrove said. “I like my upside better.”

Bisgrove, 66, has helped spark a wave of entrepreneurial philanthropy that’s having a big impact on Auburn. HisStardust Foundation and two other private foundations with Auburn roots — the Fred L. Emerson Foundationand the Schwartz Family Foundation —have put up more than half of the $10 million raised so far in startup funding for the festival.

The philanthropic activity surrounding the festival bears little resemblance to traditional charitable giving.

For one thing the festival is a riskier-than-usual investment for foundations.

Dan Fessenden, executive director of the Emerson Foundation, which has put nearly $1.5 million into the festival, said foundations are taking that risk because of the project’s potential economic impact.

“In a community like Auburn we need some double-digit returns,” he said.

The wave of philanthropy also is different because the foundations are doing much more than writing checks. They are active participants in the project, not passive spectators.

Please follow the rest of the article on The Post Standard

Actors audition for first season of Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival

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Published: Saturday, January 28, 2012, 3:51 PM     Updated: Saturday, January 28, 2012, 4:38 PM

Sarah Moses / The Post-Standard By Sarah Moses / The Post-Standard

Finger Lakes Musical Theater Festival Auditions

EnlargeDavid Lassman Hundreds of actors gather at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse at Emerson Park in Auburn to audition for the inaugural season of the Finger Lakes Musical Theater Festival. Arielle Rawding from Boston applies makeup before going on stage. David Lassman / The Post-StandardFinger Lakes Musical Theater Festival Auditions gallery (9 photos)

Auburn, NY — About 30 Syracuse University performance arts students made the trip to Auburn this morning to audition for the inaugural season of the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival.

“We’re all really excited,” said Matt Maretz, 20, of San Diego. Several members of the group from SU were still waiting to audition as the panel of directors broke for lunch.

By the end of the day, more than 140 actors will have tried out for roles in nine different musicals. The auditions continue Sunday.

Maclain Dassatti, 20, of Chicago, is studying musical theater and was one of the first members of the group from SU to audition.

“They called me in and I sang my song; they asked me if I had anything different and I sang again,” he said. “Then they asked if I could do a British accent and I sang again.”

Dassatti was given a call back and was asked to sing in front of the directors once more before he left for the day.

The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is being produced by Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, which was also the location of the auditions this weekend. The festival will feature nine full musical productions, which will range from Broadway classics to innovative new shows.

The festival will kick off in May with “Kiss Me, Kate” and end in October with “Nunsense.” The other musicals include “9 to 5: The Musical”; “My Fair Lady”; “Cabaret”; “The 25 Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”; “Altar Boyz”; “My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding”; and “Fingers and Toes.”

Finger Lakes Musical Theater Festival Auditions 

Finger Lakes Musical Theater Festival AuditionsHundreds of actors gather at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse at Emerson Park in Auburn to audition for the inaugural season of the Finger Lakes Musical Theater Festival. The festival will premiere this summer and will focus exclusively on musical theater. Video by David Lassman Watch video

The shows will be performed at three theaters, The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Auburn Public Theater, and the new Theater Mack.

Actors auditioned this weekend for all nine shows. Anthony Palermo, 21, of Erie Pa., said he didn’t care which show he well be cast in.

“I just want to perform,” he said.

Jamilla Fort, 21, of Cortland, agreed with Palermo, but she said she would love to play the role of Hattie in “Kiss Me, Kate.”

“I think the odds of getting a role in one of the musicals is pretty good,” she said. “I would be excited to be in any of them.”

There will be more than 200 paid roles available in the festival. Auditions were also held in Ithaca this weekend and the festival will hold auditions in New York City next month.

Organizers predict the festival will attract about 150,000 visitors to the area, contribute $30 million to the local economy and create 400 local jobs.

“There is a lot of talent here today,” said Megan Mullin, a festival spokesperson. “It’s excellent to see how much talent we have in Central New York and also excellent to see people who traveled here to audition.”

Auburn Players Community Theatre, Inc. presents “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”

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“Thumbs up for this uninhibited romp!” -The New York Times
“It’s funny, true nonsense! A merry good time!” -Herald Tribune

Auburn, NY—The Auburn Players will present “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” Feb 3 & 4 at 8pm and Feb 5 at 2pm in the Irene Bisgrove Theatre located at Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., in Auburn.
Tickets may be purchased in advance, online at www.auburnplayers.net, or at the door. Admission is $14 for General Admission tickets and $12 for Seniors and Students.
Broadway’s greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written—the perfect escape from life’s troubles. Written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum” takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2,000-year-old comedies of the Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave (Pseudolus) struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan (Philia) for his young master (Hero), in exchange for freedom.
This “funniest musical, ever,” includes a cast of 20 from across Cayuga, Onondaga and Tompkins Counties. Barbara J. Murphy directs with vocal/music direction by Stephen Stomps. Scenic design is by Navroz Dabu.

Ed Sayles talks about the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival

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Ed Sayles is the Producing Artistic Director for Merry Go Round Playhouse and the upcoming Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival. Sayles talks about the festival and its impact on CNY. Video by Stephen D. Cannerelli (2:24)

CNY and New York Auditions announced!

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Central New York Auditions

NYC Auditions

Auditions Poster

Auditions Poster

Central New York Auditions

Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival, Cortland Repertory Theatre and Hangar Theatre will hold the first Central New York auditions weekend for their 2012 seasons on January 28th and 29th from 10am to 6pm, providing actors and actresses with the opportunity to audition for four theatres in two days. Over 200 paid acting roles will be available.

WHEN:  Saturday, January 28th and Sunday, January 29th from 10am to 6pm

  • AEA Member by appointment; all others as time permits on a first come, first serve basis.
    For AEA appointment, contact:  Rachel Cook, Casting at 315-255-1305 
  • Non-AEA auditionees must be signed in by 1pm

WHERE: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse and Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival will hold their local auditions at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse located at 6877 East Lake Rd (Rt. 38A) in Emerson Park on Owasco Lake in Auburn, NY 13021. 

Auditionees should bring a current picture and updated resume and prepare a brief monologue.  Please prepare 16 measures of an up tempo song and 16 measures of a ballad.  An accompanist will be provided, so please provide sheet music.  Auditionees may be asked to read from provided scripts and/or attend a dance call.  Dancers, please bring appropriate clothing and footwear, including taps.

For further information, call 315-255-1305 or email merrygoroundcasting@gmail.com

New York City Auditions

WHERE:  Nola Studios in New York City, 250 West 54th Street (between Broadway & 8th Avenue)

WHEN:
Feb. 11 – Equity Chorus Auditions, 5th Floor
Feb. 12 – Equity Principal Auditions, 11th Floor
Feb. 14-16 – By Appointment Only, 11th Floor
Feb. 17 – Open Call for Singers, 11th Floor
Feb. 18 – Open Call for Dancers, 11th Floor

To be considered for appointment in NYC, send current Photo/Resume to:
Casting
Merry-Go-Round Playhouse
17 William Street, 2nd Floor
Auburn, NY  13021

For Design and Technical Employment send resume to:
Production Manager
Merry-Go-Round Playhouse
17 William Street, 2nd Floor
Auburn, NY  13021

Check www.Merry-Go-Round.com or www.FingerlakesMTF.com for opportunities in your specialty.

For Your Audition:

  • Bring a current picture and update resume
  • Please prepare 16 measures of an up tempo song and 16 measures of a ballad
  • Auditionee must provide sheet music
  • Accompanist will be provided
  • Auditionees may be asked to read from provided scripts and/or attend a dance call
  • Dancers, please bring appropriate clothing and footwear, including taps

For further information, contact Merry-Go-Round Playhouse:
315-255-1305
merrygoroundcasting@gmail.com

College Announces Naming of Lobby in New Performing Arts Theatre

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jOANNEFORESMAN

Auburn, NY (December 22, 2011) – Cayuga Community College is pleased to announce the naming of  the Joanne Foresman Lobby in the Schwartz Family Performing Arts Center. On December 21, 2011, the Foresman family unveiled the gift to Joanne Foresman in a private ceremony. The family announced they had made a gift to the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival to name the lobby to recognize Joanne Foresman’s many contributions to the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse and the Auburn community.

FORESMANFAMILY

Joanne first became involved with Auburn Children’s Theater (ACT) in the late 1960s. ACT was the beginning of what is now the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Youth Theatre, and Joanne dedicated countless hours to performing in this program, which brought theatre to children in local schools. She served as the Secretary for ACT and later as the President of the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Board of Directors from
1978 to 1980. She co-chaired the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse’s 50th Year Anniversary celebration.

combinedLOgo

Theater Spotlight: $750,000 for Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival in Auburn, NY

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Auburn, NY (December 12, 2011) – The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival in Auburn, NY received a major boost with $751,450 in state funding awarded by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo last week.
The Central New York Regional Economic Development Council (CNY REDC) submitted its five-year strategic plan as part of a competition for $200 million of New York State economic development assistance awarded by the governor’s office, and the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is a regionally significant project within the winning CNY REDC plan.
“The Central New York region has been tremendously supportive of the Festival, and with this recognition from the state, the Festival will be able to realize one of its new facilities even sooner,” said Ed Sayles, Producing Artistic Director of the Festival.

scenicproductionstudio
W.G. Allyn Scenic Production Studio.

$751,450 state economic development grant will be used to double the size of this production facility.
The Festival will use its portion of the state funds toward the expansion of its scenic design and set production facility.
“This is a considerable advancement for the Festival, which relies on the investments of many private donors to support our efforts,” said Michael Chamberlain, Managing Director of the Festival. “The funding will allow us to move from seasonal to year-round production facility, creating full-time skilled production jobs.”

Currently the production facility is used to build the sets and props for Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. This facility will need to double in size to support the shows at the Festival.
The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival has surpassed the $10 million mark in private and public support. Launching in May 2012, the Festival is projected to draw 150,000 annual visitors, create hundreds of new jobs, and have a regional economic impact of nearly $30 million.

For more information about the history and the future of the Festival, visit the Festival site.

The Pitch Submissions

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Note: Sumission deadline has been extended. Please go to www.fingerlakesmtf.com for details.

mtfLOGO
Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival
Presents
home-ThePitch
THE PITCH

          Sponsored by Seneca Falls Savings Bank

June-August 2012
Created by Ed Sayles
    THE PITCH Coordinator: Walter Ryon

the pitch and how to submit

The Rationale: The purpose of THE PITCH is to provide a venue for creative teams to explore their vision of a musical theatre piece in its earliest stages and to garner audience reactions to assist them in the development of the final product.

The Format: Three members of the creative team (composer, playwright, musical director, etc.) present a 40 to 50 minute summary version of their musical theatre piece.  Instrumentation will be on piano and or other instruments which members of the creative team may play.  The Festival will provide a piano only.  If it is a book musical, it must contain substantial pieces of at least five songs.  Solid descriptive narration or scene setting will be a critical part of the presentation.

The Setting: A maximum of twenty projects will be selected.  Each week for ten weeks (June 14- August 18, 2012) two creative teams will be invited to “pitch” their idea. Each team will have four presentations before live audiences, in the 100-seat Theater Mack located in Auburn, NY. Audience feedback will include a short face-to-face session following each presentation, as well as written surveys collected from the audience after each presentation.

carriage house seating chart

Artist Support: Those creative teams invited to present their idea will receive travel expenses to and from Auburn, as well as accommodations during their one week stay. Each week, teams will arrive on Monday. The presentations will be on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, plus a late afternoon presentation on Saturdays. Rehearsal space will be provided for two days prior to the public presentations, as well as on each of the performance days. Creative teams will be encouraged to change the presentation as they see fit based on audience responses. 

Submission Deadline: January 8, 2012
To Submit a Show:

The following application materials are required for 2012 Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival submission (click here for the submission check list):

1. Complete the submission cover sheet.
2. A 100-word summary of the show.
3. A working draft of the script and score.
4. A rough draft of the 40 to 50 minutes of material to be presented at THE PITCH, including song placement.
5. A demo recording, at least 50% of songs in the show.
6. A fifteen minute video of the creative team giving 15 minutes of the proposed presentation with parts of at least two songs.
7. Bios for creative team members.
8. Proof of rights.
9. $25 Non-refundable processing fee.

Send Your Materials:

By Email: pitchsubmissions@FingerLakesMTF.com
If submitting by email, processing fee should be sent separately.

Mail:

Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival
THE PITCH Submissions
17 William Street – Suite 304
Auburn, NY 13021

Notification of 2012 Finalists:  Feb 8
Notification of 2012 Selections: March 8

THE PITCH FAQS

Does my demo need to be professionally recorded?

No, as long as it is clear and understandable.

I’ve got a few different shows that I’d like to submit. Is that okay?

Of course you can submit as many shows as you like. Know that each submission requires its own separate submission fee.

What are my responsibilities if my show is selected?

To provide at least 40 minutes of material to ‘pitch’ to an audience.  Although we are providing rehearsal time while you are in Auburn, we expect the presentation to come rehearsed prior to your arrival.  Our rehearsal time is to edit material and tweak your performances.  Scripts may be used during the performance.

Can we bring scenery and props for the show?

No scenery, but hand props and hats, glasses etc. may be used. Remember that you are sharing the space with another team, space is limited, and there is only 15 minutes to set up and strike.

What does Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival provide?

Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival will provide transportation to and from Auburn and housing during your stay. We will also provide the performance venue, rehearsal space, venue staff and, the major marketing.  Although Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is marketing THE PITCH, we encourage you also to do self-promotion for your individual show.